Show of hands#8230;. How many of you knew that this truck has been available in North America for more than a decade? They sell in relatively small numbers, and only in a few key locations.

Introducing the 2010 Mitsubishi Fuso FG140 4X4.

Here at Hooniverse, the Mercedes-Benz Unimog is worshiped, and for good reason. Its ugly but utilitarian, with unmatched ability to go off road and to bring you back again. When combined with tractor implements, it can do almost any job that you would never think a truck can do. All of this ability has its price, and Unimogs (when they were available here in North America) were commanding well over $100,000.

As you can see, the market is somewhat limited, and the Unimog is currently not offered in in North America because it could not meet the new emission standards, and to bring it into compliance would add cost, something that the #8220;Mog#8221; didn#8217;t need.

Now I#8217;m not comparing this truck to the #8220;Mog#8221; in terms of off road ability, but you can#8217;t deny the inherent usefulness of the design. Mitsubishi Fuso introduced the FG 4X4 model in 1990, and it is still the only one available in the states. The 2010 model is equipped with a state-of-the-art 4.9L Dual Overhead Cam Turbocharged Diesel 4 Cylinder Engine, producing 155 HP (which doesn#8217;t sound like a lot) with 347 lb. ft. of torque at a low 1600 RPM.

The 4X4 model is only available with a 5 Speed Stick, though there was a time in which the Automatic was available.

What makes this truck so unique is the chassis.

To make room for the solid drive axle up front, Mitsubishi Truck and Bus of Japan actually created a 2 piece frame rail system, in which the forward portion rises above the rest of the frame in an #8220;S#8221; configuration. This raised the entire cab of the truck almost a foot, compared to the 2WD versions. To facilitate cab entry, Fuso simply added another step placed before the front axle. The transfer case is a two speed affair, with an unusual location for the gear selector.

If you take a look at the images, you will notice the lever placed to the left of the steering column.

So, what is it like to drive this thing? Well, after climbing into the spacious cab, it was like driving a bus, with absolutely no hood to obstruct the view. The turning radius is better than most cars, with intuitive controls, a comfortable seat, and acceptable ergonomics.

Just don#8217;t be in a hurry. It takes time to get those 155 ponies up to speed, and with a red line close to 3,000 RPM (don#8217;t even bother going past 1,600 because all it does is make noise, with no more power) and with a particularly notchy shifting mechanism, it takes work when merging onto a freeway. Top speed is near 65, but that is not what this truck is all about. This particular model was built as a small mason dump truck, with a backpack between the cab and the body.

The target audience for this truck is a landscaping contractor or a nursery. You can equip this truck with a plow and a sander (for northern climates) and you can get 4 seasons worth of work out of this versatile truck.

Sales of the FG hover around 250 per year, and they are not cheap. The price of the test vehicle is just a few dollars shy of $55,000. This includes the Dump Body, Back Pack, Trailer Package, and Bed Cover.